Here are 35 photographs of Meriden's past. I have lived there all my life and remember the way Meriden once was.
These photos were taken way before my time, but I still enjoy them and hope you will too.

Meriden was first incorporated as a town in May of 1806 and then as a city in June of 1867. In an effort to
improve this new city, many houses, churches, and schools were built. Many of these sites in the below photos
are no longer there.

Broad Street

This is a view of Broad Street looking south from the corner of East Main Street. The building with the Ionic columns
was the Squire Eli Birdsey's house, which is now an lot with a flag pole.

Center Congregational
ChurchBroad St. near E. Main St IntersectionThe church was erected in 1830. When a second Congregational
Church was established on Colony Street, this one took on the name Center Congregational Church. The steeple is a Christopher
Wren original.

Main Street Baptist ChurchAt the corner of Crown Street and East Main
Street.This building was erected and dedicated in 1868. It has undergone numerous renovations. In the mid 1950's the CT
Bank & Trust Company built a branch in front of the church.

Curtis Street

This is a scene of Curtis Street looking north from the intersection of Curtis Street and Ann Street.

Meriden Town/City Hall142 E. Main St.This is
the original Meriden town hall built in the early 1860's which burned down in 1904. Abraham Lincoln spoke from these steps
while campaigning for the presidency.

Cook Avenue

This is a picture of Cook Avenue looking south from West Main Street.

A.W. Curtis HouseCurtis StreetThis house was once A.W. Curtis's house.

East Main Street

This is a view of East Main Street looking east up the hill toward the Town Hall.

Central Grammar SchoolBetween Liberty &
Miller StreetThe Central Grammar School was located between Liberty and Miller Street and was the former German-American
School. The building was sold to the school district in 1903.

Linsley Avenue

This a scene of Linsley Avenue looking south.

Meriden HouseColony Street & West Main StreetThis building was
once a hotel located on the corner of Colony and East Main Street.

Edward Miller House360 Broad StreetThis house was built in 1869,
but burned down in 1934. This site is now the Miller Memorial, a home for the aged.

Pacific Lodge

The building was used as a meeting place for the International Order of Odd Fellows.

O.H. Platt House130 Lincoln St.This was the home of Orville Hitcock
Platt, one of only two U.S. Senators from Meriden. This house is now Girls Incorporated.

Prattsville SchoolNW corner of Camp St & Broad StreetThis school
house was built in 1873 and was originally called the North End School. Later the name was changed to the Prattsville School.

State Reform School

294 Colony StreetOnce used as the Connecticut State Reform School for Boys, the building is now used as the State
Police Special Services & Forsenic Laboratory Complex.

St. Laurent Church123 Camp StreetThe first service held in this church
was in the basement in 1881. The rest of the church was finished and dedicated in 1888. It was organized to minister to the
needs of the many French-Canadian and German Catholics who had worshipped at the Saint Rose Church. The Parochial school behind
the church closed a few years ago and was recently demolished.

St. Rose of Lima Church25 Center StreetSaint Rose patrons worshipped
in a building on Broad Street until this church on Center Street was finished in 1856. The present edifice was formally consecrated
in 1926.

Y.M.C.A.Colony StreetThe Meriden Young Men's Christian Association
dates back to the winter of 1866. This building was finished, furnished, and dedicated in 1877. By 1889, it was considered
the best equipped gymnasium in the city. The Y.M.C.A is now located on W. Main St. and was built in the 1990's. Prior to that
the former Y.M.C.A. was located in the same place and had dormatory rooms above the gym,exercise rooms and
pool.

N.L. Bradley House320 Colony St.The N.L.
Bradley house was bequeathed by Clarence P. Bradley to be made into the Bradley Home for the aged in 1935.

Center LodgeBroad StreetThis lodge was located on Broad Street between
East Main and Libery Street.

Colony Street

This is a view of Colony Street looking north at the intersection of East Main Street. The building on the corner was
the Meriden House, a local hotel.

Cottage Street

This is a picture of Cottage Street looking north from the East Main Street intersection.

The Curtis Home380 Crown St.Original this was the home of Samuel
J. Curtis, a philanthropist and warden of the St. Andrew's Episcopal school for many years. The Curtis Home was dedicated
in June of 1884 for the sole use of as a residency for the elderly. Also known as Rushford Childrens Services.

First Congregational Church62 Colony StreetAfter
years of construction the church was completed and dedicated in 1879. It was renovated again in the 1950's when the portico
on the south side was removed. There were plans to erect a steeple on the southeast corner of the church, but it was never
built..

Meriden High School22 Liberty StreetThe building was built in 1885
and was used as the Meriden High School. Later it was used as an annex when a new Meriden High School was built on Pleasant
Street. Currently this building is occupied by the Meriden Board of Education.

Liberty Street

This is a view of Liberty Street looking east near the intersection of East Main Street. The church on the left is now
the Christain Pentecostal Church.

First United United Methodist Church159 East Main StreetThis
Methodist Church is located on the corner of East Main Street and Pleasant Street. The church was built in 1867 and later
rebuilt after a fire destroyed the structure in 1941.

Palace Block

W. Main Street & Hanover StreetThis building was destroyed by fire in the 1950's. The Castle Bank & Trust
Company and parking lot now occupy this site.

Charles Parker HouseLocated On Parker Av.This
is the home of Charles Parker, the first mayor of Meriden and the founder of the Charles Parker Company.

South Colony Street

This is a picture of South Colony Street looking south from East Main Street. Notice that it shows how South Colony Street
once was connected straight through to East Main Street.

State Reform School294 Colony StreetThis is photo of another part
of the State Police Special Services Complex and Forensics Labratory. Once used as the Connecticut State Reform School
Chapel.

St. Rose Parochial School35 Center StreetThis is the St. Rose School,
established in 1883 and used by the children of St. Rose Church parish. This building was torn down recently.

West Main Street

This is a view of West Main Street looking west from the intersection of Colony Street.

Winthrop Hotel44-48 Colony StreetOriginally
this building was used as a hotel with the Ives, Upham & Rand Department Store occupying the first floor.